Aṇguttara Nikāya
Sattaka Nipāta
III: Vajjī Vaggo

The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Sevens
Chapter III: The Vajjians

Sutta 23

Tatiya Bhikkhū Aparihāniya Suttaṃ

Believing^[1]

Translated from the Pali by E.M. Hare.

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[14]

[1] THUS have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Sāvatthī,
at Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park;
and there he addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

'Yes, lord,' they replied;
and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, I will teach you seven things that cause not decline.

What seven?

So long as the monks shall become full of faith,
growth may be expectted,
not decline.

■

So long as the monks shall become conscientious,
growth may be expectted,
not decline.

■

So long as the monks shall become afraid of blame,
growth may be expectted,
not decline.

■

So long as the monks shall become great listeners,
growth may be expectted,
not decline.

■

So long as the monks shall become stirred in energy,
growth may be expectted,
not decline.

■

So long as the monks shall become mindful,
growth may be expectted,
not decline.

■

So long as the monks shall become wise,^[2]
growth may be expected,
not decline.

And so long as these seven things that cause not decline
shall endure among the monks
and they shall live in conformity therewith,
growth may be expectted,
not decline.'

 

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^[1] Saddhiya, correct P.E.D. s.v. accordingly.

^[2] D. ii, 79; M. iii, 23; S. ii, 206; A. ii, 76, etc.